Bayer Leverkusen looking for a creative difference maker and a left footed right winger as they continue refresh

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Kicker reports that Bayer Leverkusen’s squad refresh is far from done as they look for a creative difference maker and a left-footed right winger. 

Despite signing Malik Tillman, Leverkusen are still looking to improve their attack this season after the sale of Florian Wirtz to Liverpool earlier in the window. The aim at the BayArena is to fill in two more attacking spots.

The first is a creative difference maker. The dream target for this scenario is AS Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche. Leverkusen are willing to pay as much as €40m for the 23-year-old, but will likely face competition from other European clubs. Akliouche can play either as a number 10 or on the right. 

As die Werkself are switching to a 4-2-3-1 under Erik ten Hag, the squad is currently lacking in inverted wingers who can carry the ball and dribble, so the other target will be a right-winger who can cut in on his left foot. 

The candidate for this role is PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko. The 22-year-old’s contract in the Netherlands expires next summer, and the price for the Belgian has been rumoured to be around €30m, which is affordable to Leverkusen. Borussia Dortmund, as well as clubs from Ligue 1 and the Premier League, are interested in Bakayoko. 

The injured Martin Terrier could fill in the required role on the left wing in ten Hag’s system. The roles of Nathan Tella, Jonas Hofmann and Amine Adli are currently unknown. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan